Shocking X-Ray Result

My world just fell apart again today.

Chris had his follow-up x-ray and his curve has progressed from 20 degrees last August to 58.9 degrees this August.  That was the most devastating and distressing news but what made it even worse was the appalling way in which the consultant spoke to us.  He mocked the fact that we had been using Schroth exercises and osteopathy to try and support Chris while he grows saying “Well that was obviously a complete waste of time”.

He was smug, unsympathetic and reduced Chris to tears.  As he examined Chris he kept using the word deformed to refer to his spine and the position of his ribs, treating him like a piece of meat rather than an anxious child.

He told us the only option now was surgery and that he would refer us to Southampton Hospital.  Chris sat next to me crying and not once did that vile man offer any words of sympathy or reassurance.

I drove home in a state of shock and when we got home did my best to comfort Chris without completely losing it myself.  We had a cuddle and cry together and managed to talk about what our next steps might be.

I feel as if I have been kicked in the stomach again and on top of this I am so angry with the consultant we saw that I am writing a letter of complaint.